Xactika is an original card game, which challenges players' ability to
estimate the outcome of playing 8 cards. You must predict the
chances of being able to take the other players' cards that are laid
down during each round. There is no drawing or discarding. You
must predict exactly (hence the name Xactika) the number of rounds
in which you will be able to take the cards played. As play evolves,
cards that appear too weak to take a trick initially may become
strong enough to do so as the hand evolves. Players must
recognize the value of their hand, not just from having the highest
point cards in one of the four combinations on each card, but also
from an understanding of the chances that for some of their other
cards that no cards of the same combination may remain in the
hands of the other players. Xactika, while of the same genera as
Spades or Euchre, has more opportunity and takes a little more skill.
To play you must examine your hand to find cards in specific
combinations that have values that are greater than your
opponents. Some cards are sure bets, but only if you can take the
lead. Other cards have a high probability of taking a trick, but this
depends upon how the cards are played by others. So, careful
attention must be paid to the moves of other players. You must also
arrange to play your cards so that at the end of each hand you
don't get stuck with a trick you don't want. The outcome of a hand
is not determined until the end of the 8 rounds, so each player must
keep focused on the play throughout each of the eight hands of the
game. Keep on your toes, and figure out how to take, as well as
avoid taking, tricks. There are a number of ways to play each hand,
but finding the way to make exactly the right numbers of bids is the
challenge.
